Naples cracks down on pacelines, group rides

Always a popular topic with the Spoke N Word crowd: Word is that the city of Naples is taking broader steps to enforce vehicular cycling after receiving several complaints about groups of cyclists running lights and stop signs. They are staking out specific intersections that have caused problems in the past.

Officers are requiring group rides to stop at all stop signs and lights together, then proceed together as one large group. They say this is safer than many cyclists mixing together with traffic one at a time.

Also:

The group must stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, whereas a single bike can navigate around a pedestrian, a group is like a car!

What if you are waved thru? First you better have slowed to show intent to stop. If it is one of the bike patrol officers they may be lenient but if it’s not the bike patrol you could get a ticket.

Catch all the details over at Spokes N Folks.

I know most of you support vehicular cycling, but many also participate in group rides. Would you continue to participate if the group stopped at EVERY appropriate point? Be honest.

Comments

[Ghost Rider]

Hell no, I won't stop! I'd just convince the group to meet in another municipality to have our rides.

I try to follow most of the road laws, but honestly, you've got to be able to judge them for yourself -- if it's safe to proceed through a stop sign or light, well, sometimes you've just got to blow it!

[Chip Haynes]

The mob mentality of poser cyclists is a major compliant I hear from both non-cyclists and other cyclists alike. Riding in a large group does NOT exempt you from the law. I don't care if you think you're "training". It's a public road, and your right to use that road comes with the responsibility to obey the law. No expections. None. If you think you should be above the law, run for office like everyone else.

[Nancy Tight Black Pantsy]

uh-huh, hang on a second I want to turn the opposite way so that I can hear you with my good ear....and..um....where do you suppose is the accountibility of the motorists who, by the way, never seem to be an issue, not from a legal standpoint! Not around here anyway!! St. Pete is a lawless city, face it! There are NEVER any cops out on 34th St. or 1st Av.'s N or S., 38th Ave. or anywhere for that matter! EVERY DAY I see at least 3 a-holes running traffic lights in their cars! And -AGAIN - when a motorist blows a light, vs. when a cyclist blows a light, who do you think is more likely to sustain the worst injuries? SHUT UP AND RIDE!! You talk way too much!

NO! I don't stop at every stop sign or evey light and I won't either. If the guys in front go through - i go through...It's the pack mentality. You asked for it and we're giving it!

[Chip Haynes]

I guess I'm just a loser: The last guy on Planet Earth that actually obeys the law. I stop at red lights and I stop at stop signs, both when I'm riding my bicycle or driving my truck. No wonder no one wants to hang out with me. I am so not cool.

[Nancy Tight Black Pantsy]

Well...don't feel badly. There's always hope that you can change things around for yourself. Someone ofered to give you some spontaneous hot lovin'. That's a start..right?
I persoanlly invited you to come and ride with us...You should take me up on it...I date all the new guys on the rides, so you'd probably end up getting lucky!

[Sy]

That has got to be the most ridiculous WASTE of tax payers money EVER! Naples P.D. are "staking out" certain intersections in order to pull over bicyclists? What about the TRUE offenders/criminals out there. Child molesters, drug dealers, people who run red lights in cars, murderers!! A bunch of cyclists? You've got to be joking!!!